Self-setting mouse and rat trap.



, PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906. W. MAOKEL. 7

SELF SETTING MOUSE AND RAT TRAP. APPLIOATION FILED 3.4, 1906.

THE mum): PETERS '20., WASHINOYON, n. c.

W'ILLIAM MAGKEL, OF CANEY, KANSAS.

SELF-SETTING MOUSE AND RAT TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 4, 1906.

A li ti fil d April 4, 1906. Serial No- 309,782.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM MAoKEL, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Caney, in the county of Montgomery and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Setting Mouse and Rat Traps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in animal-traps, and is intended more especially for mice and rats and other household pests; and it is the object of the invention to provide a novel device of this character whereby the animals may have easy ingress within the cage and are effectually held against egress.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in a device of this kind novel weightcontrolled tilting platforms and means for holding the same inoperative.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a novel device of this character which may be readily carried from place to place, and it is the intention of the invention to so locate the bail or carrying means that the sliding door for controlling the outlet of the cage is limited in its movement.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a novel cage construction which is of few parts, simple in arrangement, and effective in practice.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists in the details of construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more more fully set forth and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying draw ings, forming part of this specification, wherein like characters denote corresponding parts in the several views, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a trap embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is an end view thereof. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 4 is a top plan view.

In the drawings, 2 indicates the base of the cage, which is made of sheet metal, preferably tin, and rectangular in shape. The.

edges of the base are turned upward to form the right-angular flanges 3.

Secured to the interior surface of the flanges 3 in any suitable manner, but preferably by solder, are the lower portions of the reticulated sides 4, the strands of which being of such strength as to give the desired rigidity or strength to the cage. The upper ends of the sides 4 are secured to a wire rim or frame 4 of the same shape and size as the bottom 2. The sides have their strands coiled about the frame and soldered thereto, although it is to be stated that. any preferred means may be employed.

Fitting within the sides 4 is a top 5, of sheet metal of the same material as the bottom, which has its ends bent downward to form the flanges 6, which bear against the sides 4 and are soldered thereto. The top is also secured to the frame 4 by solder; As the attaching means forms no essential feature of the invention, it may be observed that any other method may be employed.

In the sides 4, at the bottom thereof, are

cut openings 7, which have secured therearound the frames 8, provided with the outstanding flanges 9Q Extending through the frame and held thereto are rectangular hollow passages 10, made, preferably, of sheet metal bent upon itself into the desired form. This passage or tube extends slightly beyond the exterior of the cage and terminates approximately centrally thereof. Near the opposite ends of each of the passages or tubes and adjacent the top thereof are the rods or shafts 1 1 and 12. To the forward shaft 1 1 is pivotally secured a series of bars 13'. These bars have their upper ends secured to a strip 14, which has its free longitudinal edge 15 coiled upon itself to embrace the shaft 11. The bars 13 are of such length as to contact with the bottom of the tube or passage-way and are held on a downward incline. These bars are free to be pushed or elevated inwardly; but their movement in an opposite direction is limited by their contact with the bottom of the passage or tube. Thus it will be seen that an animal leaving the bars and passing within the tube is effectually held against escape.

To the inner shaft or rod 12 is pivotally secured a door 16. This door is of sheet metal and has its upper end 17 coiled upon itself to embrace the rod 12. This door is also free to be lifted or pushed inward, but its movement in the opposite direction is limited by its contact with the bottom of the tube. To further limit this movement, a stop 17 is positioned centrally of the bottom of the tube at its inner end. This tube comprises an annular strip of metal.

When the animal has passed the bars 13, it has but passage in one direction, and that is toward the door 16, which it can lift in but one direction, and passing the door it is then caged and is effectually held against exit in one of the sides. This opening is provided with a sliding door 19, which rides in vertical guideways 20. This door is arranged adjacent the center of the side and one of the guides 20 and is positioned centrally of the side. To the upper end of this central guide is secured a clip 21, to which is attached an end of the bail 22. By having this clip secured to theguide 20 the movement of the sliding door is limited in an upward direction, and the same is also held against displacement, the advantage of which is thought to be clearly apparent. A clip 23 is arranged on an opposite side of the cage and in alinementwith the clip 21.. The end of the bail is secured to the clip 23.

The top 5 is provided with a central rectangular opening 24, and extending transversely thereacross are the parallel shafts of the rods 25, the same being secured to the under surfaces of the top. Pivotally mounted on these rods are tilted platforms 26, the connection being made by straps 27, having their free ends secured to the under surface of the platforms and embracing the rods. Each of the platforms 26 has its end portions turned downward to form flanges 29. These flanges, although not essential, act as a guard or safety. Should the captive animals jump upward in trying to attain their liberty, they would strike these flanges and be thrown back within the cage. It should be stated that each platform is secured to its rod centrally of itself and is normally held in a horizontal position by means of the weight 30. This weight is arranged at a point beneath the rod and is held in position by a wire bracket 31, which is bent into an approximate V shape and has its ends secured near the opposite sides of the plat form. Should an animal reach the top of the cage and pass on to one of the platforms, the weight of the body would overbalance the weight of the platforms, and it would be dropped within the cage, as is thought to be fully understood.

When the cage or trap is being moved at the time it contains captives, it is necessary that the tilting platforms be inoperative. For that purpose sliding catches 32 are mounted on the upper surfaces of the top at a point in line with the rods. By moving these catches within their guides 33 into contact with the upper surface of the platforms said platforms are effectually held against movement. It might be stated that these catches slide in a direction laterally of the opening 24.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a device of the character described, a cage having openings in its top, tilting platforms arranged within the openings said tilting platforms being provided along their edges with depending flanges, and means for holding said platforms against movement.

2. In a device of the character described, a cage having openings in its top, tilting platforms within the openings and closing the same when in their normal position, said tilting platforms being provided along their edges with depending flanges and means carried by the top contacting with the plat forms for holding the same positively against movement.

3. In a device of the character described, a cage having openings in its top, tilting platforms mounted therein, said tilting platforms being provided along their edges with depending flanges and sliding catches carried by the top adapted to engage the platforms to hold said platforms positively against movement.

4. In a device of the character described, a cage having openings in its top, rods arranged across the opening, platforms pivotally secured to the rods, said tilting platforms being provided along their edges with depending flanges and means arranged in line with the rods for holding the platforms against movement thereon.

5. In a device of the character described, a cage having openings in its top, rods arranged across the opening, platforms pivoted to the rods, said tilting platforms being prm vided along their edges with depending flanges, weights carried by the platforms, said weights being positioned beneath the rods and in alinement therewith, and means for holding the tilting platforms against movement.

6. In a device of the character described, a cage having openings in its top, tilting platforms, approximately V-shaped brackets depending from the platforms, weights secured to the points of the brackets, and means for holding the platforms'against movement.

7. In combination, a cage having an opening in its side, a sliding door for closing the opening,-clips on the cage and a bail engaging the clips, one of said. clips limiting the movement of the sliding door in one direction.

8. In combination, a cage having an opening in its side, a sliding door for the opening, and means for carrying the cage, part of said means limiting the movement of the sliding door in any one direction.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses, this 14th day of March, 1906.

WM. MAOKEL.

l/Vitnesses:

T. O. HART, J. R. CHARLTON.

IIO 

